New Zealand Parole Board -

Parole Hearing

Under section 21(2) of the Parole Act 2002

Jordan Mitchell YOUNG

Hearing: 31 January 2020

at Hawke’s Bay Regional Prison

Members of the Board:

• Ms M Coleman – Panel Convenor
• Hon. C Borrows
• Mr J Thomson

Counsel:                                          

• Mr J Rainger

In Attendance:

• Ms A Leathard – probation officer

Support Persons:

• [withheld]

DECISION OF THE BOARD

1. Jordan Mitchell Young, who is 39, appeared before the Board today for further consideration of parole on a four year, one month sentence for burglary and obstructing or perverting the course of justice.
2. Mr Young’s statutory release date is 17 June 2020.
3. Mr Young has a lengthy criminal history which includes a conviction for vehicle manslaughter as well as a more recent conviction for injuring, which if death resulted, would have amounted to manslaughter.  In addition, Mr Young has a number of convictions for obstructing or perverting the course of justice on top of a range of various other forms of dishonesty and drug offending.
4. Mr Young was released on 14 January 2019 to [withheld] supported accommodation.  An interim recall order was made in March after Mr Young was found in possession of methamphetamine.  He was finally taken into custody on 4 May 2019.  While on parole, he had a cavalier attitude to his obligations, failing to attend appointments with the psychologist and other professionals and did not continue to engage with his support.
5. Mr Young was last before the Board in August 2019.  The Board indicated that he needed to work with a psychologist in prison as Mr Young told the Board that he was overwhelmed when he was on parole.
6. There is now a better plan in place for Mr Young.  He was supported by [withheld] at the hearing and he intends to reside with [withheld].  [withheld] lives close by.  His probation officer also attended the hearing and told the Board there is a plan in place as to how he would be managed on parole were the Board to grant it today.  She said that this would involve weekly reporting.  He would be involved in Drug Treatment Programme (DTP) after‑care which could include working one-to-one with DTP facilitators.  And, she said she would be communicating directly with [withheld] and other supports.
7. Mr Young would also be continuing with [withheld] counselling and employment could be arranged through the offender employment service.  Mr Young added that [withheld], has offered to provide five Skype sessions to Mr Young to support his reintegration.  He would assist Mr Young in developing a solution‑focus perspective to assist him in identifying goals and just generally keeping him on track.
8. Mr Young was represented at today’s hearing by Mr Rainger.  Mr Rainger said that the challenge really lies in Mr Young’s hands.  He knows that he needs to comply with all the requirements that are placed on him.  He also says that the consequences of his past non‑compliance have been a return to prison for a fairly considerable period of time which has made him very aware of the consequences of failing to engage.  Mr Rainger also pointed to the strong support structures that he now has in place that were absent previously.
9. The Board agrees that Mr Young now has a far stronger release plan than he did before.  In speaking with him today, he is also very mindful of the fact that he needs to take more responsibility for his own reintegration on release, which would include compliance with all conditions.  [withheld] told the Board that she is aware of his early warning signs of relapse into drug use and would have no hesitation in contacting his probation officer if she had any concerns.
10. With that plan in place and with the special conditions the Board intends to impose, the Board has decided to release Mr Young again onto parole.
11. He will be released on 17 February 2020.  He will be subject to standard and special conditions for six months past his statutory release date.  The exception to this is the curfew which will remain in place for three months only.
12. Mr Young is fully well-aware that his compliance with the abstinence provision can be monitored once he is in the community.
13. The special conditions are as follows:

    (1) To reside at [withheld] or any other address approved in writing by a Probation Officer, and not move from that address unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.

    (2) Not to possess, use, or consume alcohol, controlled drugs or psychoactive substances except controlled drugs prescribed for you by a health professional.

    (3) To attend an alcohol and drug assessment, and attend, participate in and complete any treatment or counselling directed by a Probation Officer.

    (4) For 3 months from the date of your release you are to be at your approved address between the hours of 10.00 pm and 5.00am daily unless you have the prior written approval of a Probation Officer.